Vehicle imports to be further delayed: State Minister

• Vehicles and other non-essential goods would be allowed to be imported only after the dollar crisis is resolved

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera 

Even though several proposals have been received with regard to vehicle imports, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said yesterday the government was yet to allow vehicle imports as priority was given to import only essential items at the moment.

Responding to a question raised by government MP Premanath C Dolawatte, the Minister told Parliament that several factions have made proposals regarding vehicle imports and that however, the government had focused on utilizing dollars to import only essential goods.

MP Dolawatte asked whether the government could consider the proposal he made earlier on allowing Sri Lankans living overseas to send vehicles to Sri Lanka by paying the customs duty also in dollars. 

"This would help keep the rising vehicle prices down and provide dollars to the government as they pay custom duty with dollars," he said.
The Minister responded by saying that vehicles and other non-essential goods would be allowed to be imported only after the dollar crisis was resolved.